FAB Flournoy has praised his players after the Eagles defeated Sheffield Sharks last night to move clear at the top of the BBL table.

The 72-61 win in South Yorkshire was the perfect way to end a Herculean effort which has seen the club pick up five wins in the space of just nine days, with four of those coming away from home.

It is a schedule that has left the New Yorker and his players feeling mentally and physically drained, and they certainly looked tired by the end of what was a predictably poor-quality clash with the Sharks

“I am pleased with getting five big wins and am delighted because my players have all given something and contributed,” said Flournoy.

“It satisfies me that we have stepped up to another level defensively. It might not be to the level that I ultimately want, but at least we are working harder and moving in the right direction.

“We were poor offensively in the game and only our defence dug us out.

“That is why I keep reiterating to the players why it is such an important factor for us.

“My players must all possess the right mental attitude and the commitment to play defence to a level I demand.

“Especially when you are in the middle of one of these crazy BBL schedules.”

He added: “It has taken its toll on mind and body and we now need some well-deserved recovery time.”

Both teams went into the game sharing top spot in the league, and while the Sharks did cause some problems, the Eagles looked jaded and yet still eased to another win.

Richard Midgley secured 25 points, even though he was given just five minutes of first-half action by Flournoy.

With the Eagles leading 39-32 at the break, Midgley then returned and played through the barren spell during the third quarter when the visitors were scoreless for five minutes to let the Sharks back into the game.

However, Flournoy persevered with Midgley and joined him on the floor.

With the trio of Lynard Stewart, Andrew Bridge and Olu Babalola also increasing the defensive pressure, the tide quickly turned back in the Eagles’ favour.

Indeed, Sheffield didn’t score again in the third quarter as the visitors held their hosts to just eight points to keep their noses in front before easing further away in the closing stages, thanks mainly to Midgley’s offensive power.

Meanwhile, Flournoy has laughed off suggestions that because his side are top of the league outright, people will be expecting them to stay there for the next six months.

He joked: “I am happier to be a tortoise rather than the hare in this title race, believe me.

“We don’t look at league tables, but just focus on playing defence and getting wins.

“I also know that in horse racing the fastest horses don’t keep running for too long so we won’t get carried away.